Absent

Chapter 19: Not-so-supportive families

A/N. Just one thing. The setting isn’t very detailed, I know. In what country are Bellavista and Fortuna? I don’t know. Somewhere in South America.

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Heather's POV.

I hold Alex's hand and kiss it. He's been on coma for three days now, and I can already feel the darkness devouring my world. I want him to wake up and be healthy, but Dr. Kelsey has stated clearly that this is for his own good. His heart must not be pressured; his heart must be left at peace. And whenever I feel the pain too unbearable, I remember his words: 'I want a strong heart to love you more every day.'

I close my eyes and lie down my head on his bed, still holding his hand, afraid that if I let go he might slip away.

"Hey Heather." I hear someone says behind me. I turn around slowly and spot Chester at the door. I motion him to come in. He takes a sit beside me. "Having a tough day?"

"More like a tough life." I answer. "I remember when I was five years old, and Ashton got an asthma attack. It was nothing drastic, but my mother used to care about us so much, she bought him one of those machines in case it happened again. Then I fall into coma, and the only think keeping me alive is that same machine."

"Do you miss Ashton?"

"I miss hugging him. I miss his voice. I miss his smile. I miss his advices. I miss his concern. I miss his love." I answer slowly. "But having Alex around helps to level the pain. And having real friends too. I mean, before the accident there was only Jimmy to trust. Now I have you, Vicky, Javier's gotten closer to me, Galileo... Yeah, life is funny. When it takes something away from you, you receive others that trick you into thinking no damage has been done."

"You talk so depressively."

"The weight of years are talking, not me."

Chester places his hand on my shoulder and smiles, encouraging me to do the same. But my smile only lasts a second, because I remind myself that the reasons to be happy are few lately. "Chester... I still owe you an explanation." He takes his hand off, and says nothing. "That day, I... I didn't know about love then. I thought I felt it. I thought that was the reason for the butterflies in my stomach every time you were mentioned. And I know we weren't close before, that I barely knew you. I was just... attracted to you. And when that car was about to hit you, all I could think of was that I could do something about it. I had the power, right at that moment, to save you. I'm not sure if it was something about loving you, more than it was a human need to protect a brother. Is that understandable?" I explain slowly.

"What about Alex?" He fights to answer with a straight face, but I can hear the pain hidden beneath his words. "Are you going to donate a heart because of love? Or because you have the power to save him?" He asks, and I stare at him. "I mean, Heather, I understand if you want to put others' lives above your own, but dying for him? You just met Alex a month ago."

"Chester, Alex is something so different. I know he has never formed part of my life before. But now he does, and I can't picture my future if he didn't. I am willing to die for him."

Chester and I remained a while there, rooted in place. Chester sighs and smiles as if we just had a joyful conversation. He leaves as quietly as he entered.

I tune my thoughts back to Alex, kissing his cheek and whispering that I love him.

I let go of Alex's hand, stand up, and walk away, with a determination that no one will talk me out of. I knock on Dr. Kelsey's door, and enter. She's not here. I guess I can come back later... wait. I read the name Magalski written in a file on the desk. I don't hesitate before taking it and inspecting.